Terrorists’ safe havens in Afghanistan pose a threat, envoys briefed

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Ambassadors/Heads of Mission of resident Missions in Islamabad were briefed by the Foreign Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chief of General Staff (CGS), Director General Military Operations (DG MO) and Director General Military Intelligence (DG MI) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Pakistan’s achievements and challenges in counter-terrorism efforts, and combating violent extremism; unprecedented escalations of Indian ceasefire violations at the LoC and the Working Boundary; and the gross Indian atrocities in IoK.

Welcoming the participants, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif stated that the briefing had been arranged to inform the diplomatic corps about the massive counter-terrorism efforts that Pakistan had undertaken in the last 16 years, more so the developments in the last four years.

They were provided details about the success of Operation Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fassad which had eliminated terrorist presence in Pakistan. They were also briefed about the terrorist threat emanating from the safe havens and sanctuaries in Afghanistan, which is resulting in loss of human lives and damage to infrastructure in Pakistan.

Details were also provided on how Indian belligerence and unhelpful posturing is distracting Pakistan’s counter terrorism efforts and how an active RAW/NDS nexus is verifiably working to undermine Pakistan’s internal stability. Ambassadors were shown evidence of an Indian campaign of unprecedented ceasefire violations, provocations and insinuations including terrorism in the form of IED attacks against innocent civilians on the Pakistan side of the LoC and the WB. These Indian activities constitute an unfortunate ”New Normal” aimed at destabilizing the entire region.

The members of the diplomatic corps condoled the loss of human lives in the terrorist attack in Quetta yesterday. The Chief of General Staff thanked them and informed the diplomatic corps that yesterday’s terrorist attack had been traced back to Afghanistan.

The comprehensive and detailed briefing by the civil and military leadership was appreciated by members of the diplomatic corps.